Milling Table Lathe

Numeric control milling machines and engine lathes are both well known devices in the machine tool art. A typical numeric control milling machine may cost $45,000 and up and a numeric control lathe may cost $35,000 and up.

The objective of this invention is to impart numeric conrol lathe capability to an otherwise convential milling machine with only relatively slight increase in cost for the added components, which cost increase may be approximately onetenth of the cost of a seperate numeric control lathe.

According to the invention, the above objective is obtained by mounting a lathe head and chuck of a conventional manually controlled engine lathe and the coacting lathe tail stock on the translational table of a numeric control milling machine. In so doing, the structure of the milling machine is not altered, reformed or defaced in any way and the mill retains its full original capability as a separate machine tool.

Additionally, a lathe turning tool and its holder are securely mounted in fixed relation to the mill table and the rotating work by clamping to the stationary bed structure of the milling machine, whereby in the subsequent turning or machining of the work piece, the latter is moved with the mill table relative to the stationary tool rather than vice-versa as is customary in all engine lathes, whether manual or numeric control types.

In a sense, therefore, the invention comprises a comparatively simple and inexpensive lathe attachment means or "kit" for a costly numeric control milling machine. In a broader sense, the invention comprises an improved numeric control mill which has the capabilities of a numeric control engine lathe without the necessity for a user or a manufacturer to possess both costly machines. Instead, by means of the invention, the possessor of a numeric control mill may acquire the lathe capability by an expenditure of about one-tenth the cost of acquiring a numeric control engine lathe.

Various features and advantages of the invention will appear to those skilled in the art in the course of the following description.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a numeric control milling machine equipped with lathe components in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross section taken on line 2--2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the milling table and lathe components.

Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals designate like parts, a conventional numeric control milling machine has a stationary floor mounted base or bed 10 from the back of which rises a pedestal body 11 carrying at its top a milling head 12 including a vertical axis rotary milling cutter 13 which overlies the customary work piece supporting translational table 14. The mill table 14 is held in a first guide or way 15 for translation in one linear path relative thereto by conventional driving means 16. The table and the first way 15 are mounted on a second right angular guide or way 17, FIG. 3, for movement along a second linear path perpendicular to the first path and in the plane thereof under control of a second conventional driving means 18. The above construction and mode of operation is quite conventional and well-known to those skilled in the art and, for purposes of this invention, a more detailed description of the basic milling machine is unnecessary.

The translational movement of the milling machine table 14 on its two liner paths is under control of a conventional numeric control means or unit 19 which may be remote from the mill and linked thereto by a suitable control cable 20. By this known means, the required movements of the table 14 can be preprogrammed in the control unit 19 and are carried out completely automatically during the milling of a work piece suitably secured to the table 14. Additionally, in the conventional mill, the cutter 13 has the ability to move vertically or on a third coordinate axis in relation to the table 14, when required.

In accordance with the present invention, the described milling machine and its numeric control means is utilized without physical alteration, defacing or redesign. It contains its full operational capability as a mill at all times. The invention involves merely the addition of lathe components to the milling machine which enable it to obtain numeric control lathe capability at minimal additional cost compared to the cost of a separate and independent numeric control engine lathe.

More particularly the invention comprises fixedly mounting on the mill table 14 near one end thereof the head 21 or work piece rotating means of a conventional manually controlled engine lathe. The lathe head 21 is removably attached to the table 14 so that the machine can easily be reconverted to straight milling operations when desired. The lathe head 21 includes the usual horizontal axis rotating chuck 22 with work clamping jaws. A conventional lathe tail stock 23 is separately mounted removably on the mill table 14 near the other end thereof for supporting long work pieces while they are being turned, as required. Shorter work pieces may be held solely by the chuck 22 without the tail stock 23, as is well known.

A key feature of the invention lies in the provision of a lathe tool holder 24, or in some cases several tool holders, secured to a rigid support beam 25 which extends transversely across the table 14, FIG. 2, and has its rearward end releasably secured through a clamping member 26 to a component 27 which is a part of the stationary milling machine base or bed 10. The forward end of the support beam 25 is rigidly attached to a post extension 28 which carries a clamping head 29 at its lower end which is rigidly and detachably secured to the forward end of the way 17 which is an integral part of the milling machine stationary bed or base.

In this manner, the lathe tool holder means 24 is securely mounted in fixed relation to the table 14 of the milling machine which can translate on two coordinate axes under control of the programmable numeric control unit 19. The work rotating and support lathe means 22 and 23, being bodily mounted on the table 14, allows the rotating work piece to be moved relative to the stationary lathe tool rather than having the tool move into the rotating work, as with conventional lathes. With the described arrangement, full advantage can be taken of the programmable control means 19 for table 14 during intricate lathe operations, just as the same control means is used in connection with milling operations on the same basic machine, all at a great economic savings, as explained previously. The lathe attachment components 21, 23, 24 and 25 are easily removable from the milling machine so that the latter may be operated in the customary manner.

The invention is chacterized by simplicity of construction, versatility and economy. It fulfills a definite need by certain manufacturers and machine shops for a numeric control lathe or the capabilities of such a machine tool where is is not feasible economically to acquire such a separate expensive device. The advantages of the invention should now be readily apparent to those skilled in the art without the necessity for a more detailed description of elements which per se are conventional, but which are utilized in the invention in a unique combination, rendering it possible to obtain results heretofore obtainable only by employing two separate costly machines.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the subjoined claims.